Tidjane Tall

Resonance in the Room

I:C 10x10x10 Award 2026
I:C OTB Award 2026
I:C Fondazione Sozzani Award 2026

Tidjane Tall’s collection reflects on identity, Blackness, elegance, and individuality as a tribute to his grandfather Baïdy Tall, who founded La Boule Noire in 1970s Ivory Coast, unquestionably the most upscale club of its time. A space of freedom and energy, it inspired Tidjane to reimagine elegance beyond conventions. Rather than erasing, his garments emphasize implicit details and transform references into clothing. They become sculptures where hair turns into feathers, embroidery tells stories, bags shift into necklaces, and eveningwear is reframed within daily reality. This dialogue between heritage and individuality creates new narratives in fashion, resonant, youthful, and nuanced. Effortlessness emerges differently, offering a new perspective on elegance.

I:C 10x10x10 Award 2026

All winners will receive:

a 10 days creative Residency
10 months feature in the “RISE AND SHINE” Exhibition at ITS Arcademy – Museum of Art in Fashion
€10,000

I:C OTB Award 2026

The OTB Group will offer a day of training visits to OTB’s headquarters, where young designers will be able to see first-hand the stages involved in creating the Group’s brands’ garments and accessories, as well as a mentoring and coaching session on best practices in sustainability with OTB Group experts.

Motivation

We had the pleasure of welcoming the young ITS designers to the headquarters of OTB Group and Diesel. We shared with them our commitment to sustainability, and it was inspiring to see how much curiosity they showed towards these topics. At the same time, engaging with young designers from all over the world brought energy, freshness, and diverse perspectives, continuously enriching and nurturing our company’s DNA. Moments like these represent a true exchange: on one hand, the opportunity to share what we do every day in our work; on the other, the chance to offer insights, suggestions, and a concrete vision of what it means to build one’s own path in the fashion industry. During the visit, the designers had direct contact with the Diesel denim world, visiting the brand’s headquarters, its creative spaces, and the historical archive, which holds over 80,000 research and collection pieces from 1978 to today. Sharing our passion and the story of this brand with curious and passionate young talents is always an opportunity for mutual inspiration.

I:C Fondazione Sozzani Award 2026

Fondazione Sozzani offers one designer the opportunity to present their work in its spaces during 2026. The designer will be hosted free of charge, and the Fondazione will provide support for the exhibition setup and communication activities. Accommodation expenses will be fully covered.

Motivation

Tidjane Tall's collection is a profound reflection on identity, elegance and individuality. Rather than erasing the history of his grandfather's work, his garments amplify implicit details, transforming references into wearable outfits. This dialogue between heritage and culture weaves resonant narratives in fashion redefining effortless elegance with a fresh perspective.

Project selection motivation

Tidjane’s work reimagines elegance beyond convention, where garments become sculptural forms and heritage reshapes itself into new narratives. It is a language of identity and Blackness articulated with effortlessness, nuance, and a quiet, assured power. His collection feels both powerful and deeply meaningful, arriving at a moment marked by uncertainty and instability, offering a grounded vision that is as reflective as it is forward-looking.